New rankings out: St. Charles still region’s largest private employer, grew workforce by nearly 7% in past year
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Economic Development for Central Oregon released on Thursday the 2026 Central Oregon Largest Employers List, including breakouts of the top employers in each Central Oregon community.
The data, collected by EDCO annually for the past 25 years, is the most comprehensive major employer list in Central Oregon. EDCO’s regional list features the largest private employers, including for-profit and non-profit organizations, while community-level lists include public employers.
This year, the top 50 private companies collectively employ 22,733 Central Oregonians, or roughly 20.9% of the region’s January 2026 annual average total non-farm employment of 108,800.
St. Charles Health System tops the list again, employing 5,538 people regionwide, a 6.75% increase since last year at the same time, according to an EDCO news release that continues in full below:
The top five private traded-sector businesses, those that primarily sell their goods or services outside the local market and bring revenue into the region from national or international markets, include:
BASX Solutions (Regional, OR) – An industry leader in manufacturing high-efficiency data center cooling solutions, cleanroom systems, custom HVAC systems, and modular solutions. The company recently completed a 36,000 square-foot weld shop in Redmond and opened an additional location in Sisters.
Bright Wood Corporation (Regional, OR) – The largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimension lumber in the U.S. The company was founded in Madras, Oregon in 1960.
Les Schwab Headquarters & Tire Centers (Regional, OR) – Founded in 1952 as a single shop in Prineville, the company’s Prineville campus evolved into a longtime headquarters and operations hub, including large-scale warehousing and tire distribution facilities supporting regional logistics.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (Prineville, OR) – One of the largest hyperscale data center campuses in the U.S., Meta’s Prineville site was its first wholly-owned data center (operational since 2011). The campus has expanded to nearly 4.6 million square feet, representing over $2 billion in investment.
Epic Aircraft, LLC (Bend, OR) – Founded in 2004, Epic Aircraft is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, all-composite, six-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft. Their flagship model, the Epic E1000, is known for its speed, range, payload, and luxurious features, catering primarily to business and private aviation markets.
Of the top traded-sector businesses, Medline ReNewal experienced the most significant increase in new jobs, adding 73 positions, a 22.88% rise compared to last year.
“Across Central Oregon, traded-sector companies continue to demonstrate the strength and momentum of our regional economy. These businesses bring new revenue into the region and their growth is a key reason we’re seeing Central Oregon outperform much of the state. At EDCO, we work with more than 400 companies each year and we consistently see how critical the traded sector is to driving investment, job creation and long-term economic resilience for our communities,” said Jon Stark, CEO of EDCO.
When companies consider relocating to, starting or expanding in Central Oregon, EDCO serves as a key partner in navigating the region’s business environment, providing in-depth market intelligence and industry insights spanning traded-sector industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology and bioscience, as well as local-serving sectors like healthcare, education, retail, and construction.
EDCO supports businesses at every stage by offering services including site selection assistance, connections to workforce and training resources, guidance on incentives and financing, and access to a strong network of regional partners. In addition, EDCO fosters entrepreneurship through mentorship, programming and resources designed to help scalable companies launch and grow in Central Oregon.
To view the lists in their entirety, click on the link below:
https://www.edcoinfo.com/about-the-area/major-employers
Data for the lists is self-reported and not audited and should only be used as an informational guideline. Businesses are asked to provide the total number of employees, not full-time equivalency, during their most recent pay period or, for companies with seasonal patterns of employment, their seasonal high. Numbers only include employees working in Central Oregon and contain contractors or interns if they are full-time and long-term. Some businesses chose not to participate in these lists and are therefore excluded.
About Economic Development for Central Oregon
Founded in 1981, EDCO is a non-profit organization supported by private and public members and stakeholders. Its mission is to strengthen communities by creating opportunities that generate new revenue and family-wage jobs. Guided by its vision to be the catalyst for economic prosperity for all, EDCO works to recruit new employers to Central Oregon, support entrepreneurs in starting new, scalable businesses, and help existing companies grow and expand. For more information, visit www.edcoinfo.com.